The iPad Mini Will Have An IGZO Display And Only Cost $249 [Rumor]

Demand for the Google Nexus 7 could be short lived if an iPad mini arrives later this year.

Until Tim Cook climbs onto the roof of Apple’s Cupertino headquarters and shouts, “we will never build an iPad mini” at the top of his voice, the rumors will continue to circulate. The latest comes from “various analysts” who claim the upcoming iPad mini will feature a 7.85-inch IGZO display from Sharp, and will start at just $249.

That price tag will increase to $299 for a high-end model, according to analysts, which will presumably feature additional storage. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen these price tags for the iPad mini; in fact, they’ve now been mentioned a handful of times in previous reports. That doesn’t prove anything, of course, but consistent rumors are certainly more promising than inconsistent ones.

With that kind of price tag, the iPad mini is in a perfect position to fend off any threat from the recently released Google Nexus 7, or the upcoming Kindle Fire 2. Sure, it’s $50 more expensive than its $199 competitors, but you can bet you’ll get a lot more bang for your buck.

Not only will the iPad mini provide you with a door to Apple’s incredible ecosystem, but the device will reportedly also feature a 7.85-inch IGZO display from Sharp with up to 330 pixels per inch. That’s a slightly higher pixel density than the iPhone 4S. Not only are these displays thinner and lighter than existing iPad displays, but they are also offer higher contrast ratios and greater brightness, while consuming less power.

The appearance of Sharp’s IGZO displays in Apple devices has been in the cards for as long as we can remember. They’re perfect for the company’s mobile devices. The only problem is, Sharp can’t make them quick enough. That could change, however, now that the company has partnered up with Foxconn.

According to previous rumors, we can expect to see this device later this year — possibly around the same time as the new iPhone.